Just Incase!

Sorry I've been naughty and missed a few days posting but I'm back and here's a quick run down of what's been keeping me away.  

Sunday began with a little bit of a lie in complete with breakfast in bed.  Then early afternoon I collected mum and we took a wee trip in to the SECC as I had a few peeps to see.  Funny thing was we only got to the walkway from the carpark when I bumped in to someone I know.  

Now this was my first visit attending the ICHF craft show as a consumer for about 8 years as I'm usually entering as a trader and I have to say I was not at all impressed.  So let me start at the beginning..  first up you now have to park in the SSE Hydro multi storey car parkwhich only has pay stations on the 2nd floor!!!  Cost of which is £7.00.  Then you have to make your way out of the car park along the 'open to the elements' skywalk..  who the dickens designed that!!!  Then you have the queue for one of the lifts that holds a whopping 6 people max!!!!  Once at the other end you can either choose to walk to the venue which we did Iin the howling wind and pouring rain, or you can queue in the same howling wind and pouring rain to wait on an oopen golf buggy to drive you to the venue.  Either way we were going to be cold, windswept & wet..  Not a good start!   So by the time we arrive it is now 2.30pm and the show closes at 4.30pm.   Admission prices...  exact same as if we had entered at 9.30am!!!  £9.00 for myself and a concessionary ticket for my 73 year old mother at £8.00!!!!!  How generous of them to knock off a whole quid for the elderly eh!!!   Mother now decides to buyone of the show guides offered to her by a girl walking around with an arm full of them.  Not surprised she had so many as they are now up to £2.00!!!   

So let's see just how much it has cost for 1 adult and 1 OAP to attend the show for 2 hours..

Parking £7.00

1 adult £9.00

1 OAP £8.00

Guide £2.00

Grand Total....  £26.00!!!!!!      

Think I'd rather have spent that on some craft goodies instead of just getting in the front door.

So...  after all that I felt somewhat unwell whilst in the show and had to make a swift departure and grab a coffee before attempting the drive home.  Absolutely no idea what was up but I suddenly had this popping bubble effect in my ears, a bile sickness feeling in my stomach and my balance didn't feel quite right.   Poor mum thought she was going to have to take my keys and drive me home lol.  Needless to say I went straight to bed and thankfully felt better on Monday morning. 

Now Monday started with a nice Reiki session, followed by an afternoon of housework, washing and a few visitors..  good way to enjoy a day off I'd say.

Tuesday I was confined to the house waiting on DPD delivering a parcel and my good friend Pauline Wheeler had made me feel guilty by tidying up her craft room so I decided to make use of my confinement and start a major clear out of the crafty hell hole..  you know how we all have that 'just incase' stash...  well mine is going!!!   So far I have filled a box for my friends daughter and another of stuff that I will give away to crafters or donate to llcal groups.   Worst part of it all...  I'm not even half way through!  Now the box below shows the amount of pens in that box in the pic above..  I won't tell you the exact figure but let's just say it's a 3 figure amount!!!   Shocking really.  

Anyway, on to today..  when I was back to work in the shop.   Few deliveries, pile of internet orders, lovely customers and a catch up with the girls.  Chill session once I got home before hubby's arrival and the dinner ritual commenced.   Now we are in the process of setting up a shop blog and Alan has been ever so good in uploading some card designs along with product lists but as he is not a crafter it's been left to me to type up some instructions so that's another 3 done tonight ready for him to upload tomorrow.

Finally...  it's time for me to get my pj's on and catch some beauty sleep before the alarm goes off in 5 hours.  

Toodles for now

Lorraine xxx 

What a demo day..

Well folks would you believe it's not even 1am and I'm sleepy!!!  Not like me eh lol.

There's a very good reason for it though,  you see we had a mini extravaganza day in the shop meaning we had 6 demonstrators on between 10am and 4pm.   When the day began I had every intention of taking pictures throughout the day but eh..  that plan went out the window after the first half hour as there's simply wasn't time! 

The first picture was taken about 10 mins after the doors opened and let me tell you this was when it was quiet..  you wouldn't believe what it was like by 11am.  Thankfully most of the companies close by are closed on a Saturday as in addition to our car park being full our customers were parked on 3 additional streets within the industrial estate lol.

Now we always say that we have the best customers and here is a few pics to prove it.  In the second picture is our boss lady Gaynor who is actually being given a vegetable (can't remember the name) which a customer had grown herself and brought in as a gift.   Then we have the all important CAKES!!!!!!!   There is never a demo day goes by that someone doesn't give us something yummy to keep our energy levels up and this time around it was Angela with a big box of delicious homemade cupcakes.   It was 5pm before we even had a chance to dive in to them but they were well worth the wait.  

Needless to say I've kinda just sat back with my feet up tonight and done sod all but chill and I'm actually looking forward to going to bed and with the turn back of the clocks I even get to have an extra hour in bed..  yippee doodle dandy. 

So with that said I'm going to sign off and get my pj's on ready for the land of nod. 

Toodles for now
Lorraine xxx

Teddy bear hugs

Now how could you resist a cuddle with this little guy?  

Thanks to my position on the Jones Crafts DT I was able to play with the adorable new KaiserCraft range called Teddy Bears Picnic and decided that my first project would be created using one of the Candy Box Crafts heart shaped mirror frames.

As always with CBC kits they piece together beautifully and this one comes complete with mirror too so all you need to add are your papers, embellishments etc.  

This paper range has a variety of designs from muted to bright and has textured designs also such as this faux stitching and there's even some fur too!   

Wouldn't this make a fab gift for a childs room or even for a new born baby where mummy could hang it in the nursery.   

Sorry it took so long to get proper pictures uploaded but the weather is just not on my side by the time I get home from work and I prefer natural over artificial but we got there eventually.  

Well dinner is currently in the oven so I think tonight may have to entail some more crafting just to ensure I'm well relaxed for the busy day ahead in the shop tomorrow..  that's gonna be my excuse anyway lol.  

Hope you all have a fun weekend planned and one that includes some creativity too.

Toodles for now.

Lorraine xxx 

Let's celebrate

Labels to go

Snipped paper centres

He saw the light today lol

Cuddles

Evening all.. just a quick post tonight.   What a busy week we've had in the shop.  Gone are the days when it used to be quiet because everyone was at the big craft event at the SECC..  now they go there for an hour or two followed by a trip to us where a lot of them start the visit by helping themselves to a wee cup of tea or coffee and a biccie lol.

Now the winter nights are closing in and it's already dark by the time I get home meaning I can't get any decent pictures so here is another wee peek at the latest project on my desk.   Thankfully all can be revealed tomorrow as I've got a day off meaning I can use the sunlight.. Yay..

Don't you just LOVE this adorable old guy..  Defo one you'd want to cuddle. 

Right folks I'm off to sort a few things before sitting back to chill out..  hospital tomorrow for some bloods and stuff so want to be well rested. 

Toodles for now
Xxx

Soft & Gentle

Evening all..  very quick post as it's almost 2 am and have work in the morning but wanted to show you a quick sneaky peek of my current project.   This is another fab new paper range I'm playing with and I think you'll all love it too. 

Right I'm off for some beauty sleep.

Laters!
Xxx

Jones Crafts

Well I've finally got time to sit down and post a few more pictures and type some text..  so what's been happening?  

Friday afternoon at 2pm I took myself off for a wee Reiki session..  ehh..  not quite sure it turned out to be so wee as I didn't actually leave until 5.15pm lol.   What a wonderful practitioner and I will certainly be returning.  I know a lot of people are sceptical but I have to say it works for me.   She was spot on and narrowed in on my back and chest. Now I've been fighting a bit of a chesty cough and even my husband (who is very skeptical) is surprised at the difference since Friday.  As for my back..  well she said that was so bad she was surprised I'd actually been able to walk never mind work.  Now pain is something that we can't see and no-one knows the levels that others actually suffer but I have to say she was pretty spot on with that too.   I've suffered a lot with my back and can honestly say I haven't had a pain free day for so long now that I had forgotten what it felt like.  I'd actually just accepted that I was going to go through the rest of my life suffering pain and was prepared to just get on with it.  Well...  since Friday I've had so much relief it's unbelievable and again my husband is shocked that I've not been asking him to rub pain relief cream on and have had absolutely no pain killers.   I'm feeling on cloud nine right now and can't wait for my next session..  hopefully a shorter one now that I seem to be doing a little better lol.   Friday night didn't bring much but sleep, sleep & more sleep..  that is a miracle for me eh!  

Saturday I didn't do too much..  lazy start to the day, shopping and a wee bite to eat with mum followed by a night watching the music channels on tv and dancing/singing the night away till the wee small hours.  

Today has been a household day, washing, hoovering etc so it's been rather non eventful but we did have a little sunshine which allowed me the opportunity to get a few pics of my latest project albeit I still have some more pearls etc to add but doubting I will get another photo opportunity this week as the weather is set to turn a little on the nasty side tomorrow.  

So..  what is this project all about?  

It's my latest Jones Crafts (link at top) DT project using the gorgeous KaiserCraft Rustic Harmony collection.  I started by painting and distressing my frame then attached a sheet of 12×12 paper behind the front layer.  It was then a matter of deciding on embellieshments and placement.  This may very well end up being a birthday gift for mum as the colours would fit perfect in her bedroom and she loves when I make her stuff as no-one else has the same.  She currently has a hanging wall clock and personalised coasters in her living room and takes pride in telling people where she got them.  Lol.  

Oh well I guess I've gone on enough for one night so will depart for the time being.  Off to visit a friend tomorrow and help her empty a few boxes in her new home then hopefully get a litte evening craft session.  

Sunshine & smiles

Lorraine xxx 

More metal & pearl embellies combined with Tattered flowers.

A few metal embellishments and corners combined with flowers & pearls in this section and I couldn't resist the sweet butterfly.

This section shows an assortment of embellishments including a fab KaiserCraft wooden floral segment which I altered with some basic acrylic paint.  

Love is all around..

Just a quick post for the moment being folks..  still a few pearls to add but decided to snap a shot whilst there was at least some sunshine outside as the forecast isn't looking too good for the next few days. 

Will pop back later and add the finer details to the post like paper range etc but right now I'm off to scrub a few toilets, mop floors etc oh yeah..  and I've got Mrs Wishy Washy laundry on the go at the moment too.   You really can't beat a good old Sunday scrubbing the house can ye!  Lol 

Toodles for now
Xxx

Loving Life

Just a quick post tonight folks as near on 2 am and got work in the morning.  

Had a fab Monday & Tuesday with one of my dear friends whom I love dearly.  Done some shopping and got the good old housework and washing done too.  

Today..  well what can I say about it..  hhmmm...  BUSY!!!   Think we all lost track of exactly what deliveries arrived as they were coming so quick at one point lol.   We had 3 pallets..  yes pallets!!!  In addition to the rest of the deliveries.   The ones I can remember off hand are Crafters Companion, Crafts Too, Spellbinders,  Creative Expressions, Groves, Crafts UK & Stick It..  I know I've forgotten a few but it gives you an idea anyway lol.   Needless to say us 3 girls were glad when 5.30pm arrived so we could get home and have a seat. 

So..  Once dinner,  dishes and yet another load of washing (no idea where it all comes from) and animals were all done I finally got to do a little crafting and finish off my project.   Sadly yet again the light had gone so it's another sneaky peek.   If it's light enough tomoz night I'll get a proper pic but barring that will defo get it done on Friday when I'm off.   I'm so loving these papers and picked up a few wee final bits in the shop today so think I'm happy with it now.  

Right I've gone on enough so time to sign off for the night and get some beauty sleep. 

Happy crafting
Xxx

Chill Time

Well folks it's 3am Monday morning and here I am sitting typing a post as I've just realised it's been a week since my last week!  

As for the post title..  well I'm not just meaning that I've been relaxing but am also referring to the fact it's currently 34° outside..  bbrrrr.

So what's been happening the last week that I've been so quiet?  Not too much really.   One of my work colleagues had a few days off work so I pulled an extra couple of shifts meaning I was working Tues thru Saturday.  Popped to a friends on Thursday night as it was her birthday and Brianna was over for a visit on Friday night.   Today has been chill time..  nice wee lay in complete with kitty snuggles, relaxing shower, watched the Russian Grand Prix and had a little crafty play on the project I started last week.   Sadly it's too late to take pics now so I've tried my best on a sneaky peek pic using my night mode.  

Got doctor this afternoon as took last of my meds tonight so need a prescription refill and one of my oldest dearest friends is coming for a visit..  Guess I best get some housework done in the morning when I wake as it's currently a bombsite due to fact I've done bog all this week lol.

Oh well time to sign off so will say toodle pip for now and be back later with some better pics.

Happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

A few of my favourite things..

Evening all..  my very dear friend Hels Sheridan kindly tagged me in a post today so I thought I'd pull some of my favourite projects together in one post so you could easily get an idea of things I like to play with.  

My blog tends to be a mish mash of projects for different companies and these pictures are a mix of DT projects and personal makes.

The project above was a personal make.

Above project is a personal make 

Above project is a personal make

Above project is a personal make 

Above project is a sample made for Craft World 

Above project is a sample made for Craft World

Above project is a personal make

Above project is a personal make

Above project is a DT project for Jones Crafts

Above project is a DT project for Jones Crafts 

Above project is a personal make

Well folks I hope that helps to give you a better insight to the kind of products I like to use and how I like to create depth and dimension using a variety of techniques.

Now let's get crafting!

hugs

Lorraine 

xxx

Daily Elements

What a dreich old morning it is outside today but thankfully there's the odd ray of sun managing to penetrate those grey and white cloud formations and with any luck the breezy winds that have been howling all night may just blow them away for a wee hour or two.   There was me thinking the news was reporting the prospect of an Indian summer too..  eh me think  not mate!   Keeps up at this rate and the thermals will be on before Halloween even arrives lol. 

Now today is the perfect day for being tucked up indoors surrounded by papers, scissors and glue but alas I have promised my wee mum a trip out so looks like I'm gonna have to wrap up warm and make sure we go somewhere that we can stay indoors, do a little shopping and have a bite to eat. 

Thankfully these gorgeous bits will be awaiting my return and I can push on with my current project for Jones Crafts.  I'm one of those who likes to do a rough mock layout before sticking anything down as it gives me the basic idea of the larger elements and allows me to decide where my smaller often half hidden bits and bobs will go.   Now if I can only get the frame finished before I pop out with mum then I can get moving along with the actual construction tonight.  

Please do check back over the coming days and weeks as I will be focusing mainly on KaiserCraft so there should be plenty to inspire you on their new ranges. 

Toodles for now and happy crafting
Lorraine xxx

New Home

Britannia dies used:

Skyline
Sentiments

Celebrate

Britannia dies used

Party Glass
Lattice Corner
Sentiments

Sympathy

Britannia dies used:

Filigree Cross
Sentiments

Cherish Yesterday

Britannia dies used:

Leaf corner
Large Elvendene Butterfly
Small Elvendene Butterfly
Sentiments